And, of course--" her shrug and
gesture disposed of all other matters at issue. "Yours are the only
feelings that need to be considered. I should like to know, though,"
she continued with some warmth of interest, "if you really came just
to observe Indians. Father might think of a variety of attractions.
Health?--any-thing from gout to tuberculosis. Fish?--father can talk
about fish until you actually see them leaping. Shooting?--according
to father, all the animals of the ark abound in these mountains.
Curios?--father has an Indian mound somewhere which he always keeps
well stocked."
Professor Spence smiled. "So many activities," he said, "should
bring better results."
"They are too well known. Most people make some inquiry." The faint
emphasis on the "most" made the professor feel uncomfortable. Was it
possible that this young girl considered him, Benis Spence,
something of a fool? He dismissed the idea as unlikely.
"Inquiry in my case would have meant delay," he answered frankly,
"and I was in a hurry. I wanted to get away from--I wanted to get
away for rest and study in a congenial environment. Still, I will
admit that I might not have inquired in any case. I am accustomed to
trust to my instinct. My father was a very far-sighted man--what are
you laughing at?"
"Nothing. Only it sounded so much like 'nevertheless, my grandsire
drew a long bow at the battle of Hastings'--don't you remember, in
'Ivanhoe?'"
The professor sighed.
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